On August 27 and 28, 2026, a feast for the eyes will take over Atlanta skies. The rare spectacle will be a partial lunar eclipse in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. That means in ATL, only a piece of the Moon will enter the dark umbra — but with 96.2% coverage, it’s an event that is nothing short of spectacular.
What to know about the partial lunar eclipse on August 27th
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the eclipse will take place on the evening of August 27. The actual lunar eclipse begins at 9:23 p.m., but you won’t be able to see a deep shadow until 10:33 p.m., when Earth’s dark umbral shadow begins eating into the Moon.
Maximum coverage happens right around midnight at 12:12 a.m and the eclipse will last until 3:01 a.m. — so you might want to take a quick power nap before starring at the open night sky.
96.2% of the moon will be covered, so you’ll see a small disk of the moon, with a “rusty coppery” edge where the sun and moon meet.
And, to add to the spectacle, August 27 also coincides with a full moon, which means you’re in for a real treat in the Atlanta skies!
Do you need eye protection to watch the eclipse?
Solar eclipses can be dangerous to view with the naked eye, but lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to watch without protection. Actually, viewers are encouraged to grab a telescope or binoculars to make the most of the celestial event.
Where to watch the eclipse in Atlanta?
Now for the ultimate question: what is the best spot to watch the eclipse from Atlanta? Unfortunately for us, late-night visibility of the eclipse increases the further one gets away from city light pollution. Still, there are a few options around metro Atlanta that offer a clear view of the moon:
📍Piedmont Park: open daily until 11pm, so you can take a peek at the start of the partial eclipse phase. Bring a blanket and get cozy!
📍Fernbank Science Center: free observatory access on Thursday and Friday nights make this a great spot of stargazing (and eclipse sighting!)
📍Stone Mountain Park: located further from city light pollution (about 25 minutes east of downtown Atlanta) with stunning shores that remain accessible late into the night. Great for capturing photos of the coppery moon reflecting off the lake!
When is the next eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse will take place on February 20 – 21 2027. It will be a penumbral eclipse, which means you’ll only notice a subtle dimming of the moon’s surface, rather than a dramatic reddish color in the case of a partial or complete lunar eclipse.
To add to that, the upcoming solar eclipse won’t be until January 2028, so make some room in the agenda tomorrow to marvel at the open sky while nature’s still treating us.